Hi Friends,

Even as I launch this today ( my 80th Birthday ), I realize that there is yet so much to say and do. There is just no time to look back, no time to wonder,"Will anyone read these pages?"

With regards,
Hemen Parekh
27 June 2013

Now as I approach my 90th birthday ( 27 June 2023 ) , I invite you to visit my Digital Avatar ( www.hemenparekh.ai ) – and continue chatting with me , even when I am no more here physically

Sunday, 31 January 2021

Tracking BEST Buses through Mobile ?

 


 

Yes , and here is how :

Now track BEST bus on your phone  /  HT  / 30 Jan 2021

CM launches control centre for tracking of red buses  /  TOI  /  30 Jan

Extract [ of this news report  ] :

Ø  The state-of-the-art control room has two huge video walls ( each having nine 55-inch screens ) monitored by 32 officials round-the-clock
It has a centralized database which will be a mine of information to analyses daily bus operations and provide solutions to improve services

Ø  The system will keep a check on unruly drivers who speed, trough VEHICLE LOCATION TRACKING SYSTEM

Ø  The centre will track operations of all buses through GPS

Ø  The centre will help BEST get DAILY ANALYSIS of fleet utilization, km run, targets, ticket sales and passenger count

Ø  “ We can keep a check on buses being deployed from 27 depots daily, whether busy routes have adequate buses, rerouting some to routes that have more commuters at bus stops and sending emergency vans for on-road repairs and maintenance “

===================================================

Congratulations , Shri Bagdeji,


Although, due to my advanced age, I no more travel by BEST buses, it makes me very happy that BEST has implemented most of the suggestions that  I made in my following e-mails :

===================================================

Ø  Public transport as a solution ? ………………..[ 15 Feb 2016 ]


Extract [ from above e-mail ] :

 

SOLUTIONS  ( even , if partial ) :

  

    #   Gradually change over to air conditioned buses

 

   #   Do not allow standee passengers(this will require adding many more buses )

 

    #   Introduction of BRTS ( Bus Rapid Transit System )

 

    #   Bus Arrival Time Indicators ( linked with GPS in all buses ) at all bus stops

 

    #   A tablet type digital device fitted behind each seat, where passenger to

         touch his destination on route map displayed 

          

         Passenger will also touch his smart phone to the device which will transfer

         the fare amount to the bus operator , through a mobile wallet . 

 

     #    No need for a conductor - as practiced in many foreign countries ! 

 

        This will tell the driver, at which stops, which passengers are getting off and

        seat/s are falling vacant

 

    #   If bus is already FULL and no passenger is getting off at the next bus stop,

         then driver will not halt the bus ,since he cannot accommodate any standee

         passenger

 

    #   If a passenger is supposed to get off at, say XYZ stop, digital device wil

         flash a signal / ring a bell , a few minutes before reaching the stop

         

   #   The Bus Arrival Time Indicator , at the stop will also display the " No of

          Vacant Seats " in this bus

 

         This ( No of Vacant Seats ) sign will also appear prominently on the bus

         itself as it pulls into the halt

  

    #   It is equally easy to introduce such an Integrated Traffic Management

         System in Inter-City buses as well

 

    #   Entire intra-city bus traffic will be monitored and controlled from the Central

          Traffic Control Station of the City traffic department, much in the same way

          ATC control air traffic or railways control train traffic

            

    #   It is just a question of extending an existing ( but slightly modified )

          technology to city traffic

 

    #   As far as density of traffic on various roads is concerned, mobile apps are

         already available

 

    #   Based on the situation, Central Traffic Control will order additional buses to

         be injected on any particular route, at any given time

 

    #   In some foreign countries , even elevator systems in large office buildings

         are designed to gauge

 

         *  the number of persons waiting for elevator at each floor ( and how many

             want to go UP and how many want to go DOWN ),

             

         *  the number of persons riding at any time , within each elevator ( and

            their travel intentions ) 

 

            and adjust their stopping / halting pattern accordingly  , automatically

            without human intervention !

 

===================================================

Ø  BEST getting BETTER ? ………………………………[ 20 Aug 2017 ]

===================================================

Ø  A Trail-Blazing Urban Transport ? ……………[ 22 Sept 2017 ]

 

Extract [ from above blog ] :

       On  12th Sept , Shri S R Jadhav ( Traffic Manager – Planning & Control ) sent

       to me following email :

      From: transport@bestundertaking.com  

      Sent: 12 September 2017 14:58


      To: Hemen Parekh

      Subject: re: fw: A COMPREHENSIVE BEST SOLUTION

     Sir,

     This refers to your letter dated 21.08.2017 addressed to the General Manager,

     BEST Undertaking.

     At the outset, we thank you for providing suggestions in connection with BEST

     bus operation.

    The BEST Undertaking is in the process of developing App for BEST buses.

    Besides, we are also planning to install GPS on buses to get Real Time

    Information for updated Passengers Information System

    In connection with this, we have also noted your suggestion for Bus Route

    Indicator at bus stops.

    We would also like to inform you that MMRDA is carrying out study

     for 'Dedicated Bus Lane' on major corridor of

   Mumbai.

  Yours faithfully,

  ( S.R. Jadhav),  Traffic Manager,  (Planning & Control)

 

This was in response to my following email :

From: "Hemen Parekh" <hcp@recruitguru.com>

Sent: Monday, August 21, 2017 10:01 AM


Togm@bestundertaking.comaddlgm@bestundertaking.comdgmto@bestundertaking.comsapawar@bestundertaking.orgchiefminister@maharashtra.gov.inmin.finance@maharashtra.gov.inmin.transport@maharashtra.gov.in 


SubjectA COMPREHENSIVE BEST SOLUTION

BEST  getting  BETTER  ?

While welcoming this passenger-friendly initiative , I urge Shri Bagde , to go for a COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION  by implementing my following suggestion ( emailed earlier on 15  Feb  2016 ) :

https://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2016/02/public-transport-as-solution.html

If all of my suggestions get implemented, Mumbai’s BEST can become a BENCHMARK for Municipal Corporations of Delhi – Kolkata – Chennai and other Metro Cities

===================================================

Ø  Thank You , Shri Bagde …………………………………[ 27 Feb 2019 ]

 

Extract [ from above e-mail ] :

Thank You , Shri Bagde

 

Shri Surendrakumar Bagde – General Manager – BEST / gm@bestundertaking.com / Tel - +91-22-22856262 

For what  ?

For implementing my suggestion for a passenger-friendly  BEST transport  system

sent as email to Shri Bagde on 15  Feb 2016 ) 

Public transport as a solution  ? 

Dear Shri Bagdeji,

While congratulating you on this very “ commuter – friendly “ innovation , I urge you to examine the feasibility of also implementing , item # 1  / # 2  /  # 3 , listed above

Having set a BENCH-MARK for Public Transport undertakings all over the country, I urge you to persuade the Central Transport Minister , Shri Gadkariji, to examine implementation of :

Transport : an Integrated Logistic Plan ? 

 

===================================================

With regards,

Hemen Parekh  /  hcp@RecruitGuru.com  /  01 Feb 2021

Saturday, 30 January 2021

A Brief History of Electric Vehicles in India

 A Brief History of Electric Vehicles in India

( As on 25 March 2023  )

===================================================


Vehicle Scrapping Policy  ……….03 Feb 2021

 Better Late than Never ? …….    19 Feb 2021

 Elon Musk : We offer a GREEN CARPET  …03 Mar 2021

 All that glitters is ….. Gold ? …… 17 Mar 2021

 Blessing in Disguise ?  ……. 21 Mar 2021

 Vehicle Scrapping : Time to copy M&M ? .. 10 Apr 2021

 Vehicle Fitness Test ? A 7 year wait ? .. 19 Apr 2021

 Vehicle Charger cum Carbon Creditor ?  .. 28 May 2021

 CESL : Carpe Diem ( Seize this Opportunity ). 19 June 2021

 Congratulations  ……………. 19 June 2021

 Cheaper in Gujarat ? – At least for Now .. 23 June 2021

 Mobilising Electric Vehicle Financing in India .. 01 July 2021

 Can TESLA beat MATAM ?  …. 24 July 2021

Hey, Elon seems to have a case !  … 27 July 2021

 Import Duties : Time to get Rational  .. 27 July 2021

 Never Give-up Nitin Gadkariji,  … 13 Aug 2021

Hey Elon , What is so difficult ?  .. 15 Aug 2021

From Express Way to Electrified Way ? .. 21 Aug 2021

 Tesla Talking ?  …. 29 Aug 2021

 A Vindication ?  ……. 04 Sept 2021

 Light - Camera – Action ……. 14 Sept 2021

 From Shoonya to Sarva  … 17 Sept 2021

 FAME III on horizon ? .. 03 Oct 2021

 Thank You, Smt Mahua Acharyaji,  … 19 Oct 2021

FASTag is getting FASTer / Trans-Tax will be Fastest..02 Nov 2021

Thank You, Shri Gehlotji  … 03 Jan 2022

Thank You CESL : for that OPEX model .. 20 Jan 2022

 ELON , You have missed the Bus / by 5 YEARS.. 15 Feb 2022

 Holding out an Olive branch ? No, entire Olive Tree !. 17 Feb 2022

Congratulations, Bhavish Aggarwal .. 22 Mar 2022

Thank You, Shri Mahendra Nath Pandeyji  .. 24 Mar 2022

 Thank You, Shri Kailash Gahlotji .. 08 Apr 2022

 On the Horizon : Internet of Vehicles ( IoV ).. 14 Apr 2022

 Thank You, Shri Tarun Kapoorji  … 15 Apr 2022

Not “ MAY “ but “ MUST “… 24 Apr 2022

 FAME III about to arrive ? … 08 June 2022

 ISRO : inspiring – but not Motivating ? .. 12 June 2022

Nitin Gadkari : looks far into Future and dreams Big.. 19 Sept 2022

Perseverance Prevails  …. 23 Sept 2022

 An Avoidable Expense ?  … 12 Dec 2022

 No, not Dutch , it seems Australians are winning  .. 23 Sept 2022

 India to become Vehicle Scrapping Hub ? .. 02 Mar 2023

 Needed : Reverse Engineering….. 17 Mar 2023



2021  ( 3 )



Vehicle Scrapping Policy .....................................[ 03 Feb 2021 ]

Gadkariji : Green Tax is Good ……………………………………….[ 26 Jan 2021 ]

At long last, TESLA is here ! ………………………………………….[ 13 Jan 2021 ]

Nitin Gadkariji : Architect of NEAP ………………………………..[ 07 Jan 2021 ]

 

2020  ( 17 )

To beat OR not to beat ?..........................................[ 29 Dec 2020 ]

Mahesh Babu is on right track ………………………………………[ 18 Dec 2020 ]

Gadkariji : From a Vision to a Mission ……………………..   [ 17 Dec 2020 ]

Congratulations, Avinash Dhakneji ………………………………[15 Dec 2020 ]

Solar Powered EV : 1,000 Miles with Single Charging ? [ 09 Dec 2020 ]

Luck does not happen ! …………………………………………………[ 04 Nov 2020 ]

Enough to entice Elon ?...........................................[ 03 Nov 2020 ]

The Race is on ! …………………………………………………………….[ 23 Oct 2020 ]

Sad : to be proven right ……………………………………………….[ 20 Oct 2020 ]

Fastest Finger First ?...............................................[ 07 Oct 2020 ]

EV : Battery Charging Stations…………………………………….[ 13 Sept 2020 ]

Birth of a New Industry ? …………………………………………….[ 12 Aug 2020 ]

Dead on Arrival ? ………………………………………………………….[ 19 July 2020 ]

I conceive , I conceive , I conceive !   ………………………...[ 25 Feb 2020 ]

Betting On Black Swan ?..........................................[ 09 Feb 2020 ]

A PM with “ Inside Information “ ? ……………………………… [ 04 Feb 2020 ]

A PM’s Dare ?..........................................................[ 08 Jan 2020 ]

 

2019  ( 14 )

Alang : Junkyard ? Scrapyard ? SaveYard ? ……………  .[ 12 Dec 2019 ]

Congratulations, Dilip Chitre ………………………………………..[ 28 Oct 2019 ]

Electric Vehicles : A Work in Progress ? ………………………[ 29 July 2019 ]

EV Policy of Norway : Worth emulating ……………………….[ 06 July 2019 ]

40 GW : 70 GW : 300 GW : 800 GW…………………………….[ 24 May 2019 ]

E- Bus : without ETA ……………………………………………………..[ 04 Apr 2019 ]

Pigovian Tax for Polluters ?                                        03 Apr 2019 ]

E – Car Extrapolation : a Wishful Thinking ?................[ 20 Mar 2019 ]

Mobility on the Move – Finally……………………………………….[ 09 Mar 2019 ]

FAME II > FAME III > FAME IV……………………………………..[ 05 Mar 2019 ]

Ray , a drop of golden Sun…………………………………………….[ 18 Feb 2019 ]

Congratulations , Shri GopuKumarji………………………………[ 30 Jan 2019 ]

National Clean Air Tax ? – a Pigovian tax ?                  11 Jan 2019 ]

Lost at Sea for 3 years ?...........................................[ 10 Jan 2019 ]

 

2018  ( 29 )

Trans-portability Theory ……………………………………………….[ 10 Dec 2018 ]

Clean Energy pumping Dirty Fuel ? ……………………………..[ 08 Dec 2018 ]

Congratulations , Shri Kailash Gehlotji ! ………………………[ 28 Nov 2018 ]

Something is better than Nothing !............................[ 22 Nov 2018 ]

Transport : an Integrated Logistic Plan ? …………………… .[ 20 Nov 2018 ]

Missing piece of Jigsaw Puzzle ?.................................[ 15 Nov 2018 ]

Every Building : a Battery Charging Station ?...............[ 26 Oct 2018 ]

Gathering Speed at Snail’s Pace ? ………………………………..[ 02 Oct 2018 ]

Crossing the Seven Seas [ 7 C ]…………………………………….[ 10 Sep 2018 ]

If China can , so can We………………………………………………..[ 27 Aug 2018 ]

Rename it , “ Vehicle Recycle Policy “               ………    [  08 Aug 2018  ]

Scrapping Old Vehicles : Swiss Challenge Solution      …[  24  July  2018  ]

OK , TATA ! …………………………………………………………………….[ 29 June 2018 ]

Electric  Vehicles  : How to Kick Start ……………………………[ 28 June 2018 ]

Mahindra Accelo : Saluting a pioneer  …………………………  [19  June  2018  ]

25,000 New Petrol Pumps ? Why ?...............................[ 18 June 2018 ]

Solar Power Based Charging Station ?..........................[ 06 June 2018 ]

A  Phased  Manufacturing  Program  ?....................       [ 23 Apr 2018 ]

Ashok Leyland : On the double ……………………………………..[01 Apr 2018 ]

Thank  You  ,  Chief  ! ……………………….                     [ 28 Mar 2018 ]

One door closes  ;  Another opens   ………………………………[ 27  Feb  2018  ]

National Energy Storage Mission…………………………………….[ 19 Feb 2018 ]

Holy Grail for Electric Vehicles………………………………………..[ 17 Feb 2018 ]

Not a U - Turn : a Right Turn………………………………………….[ 16 Feb 2018 ]

Car Grave-Yard of World ?                                           14  Feb 2018 ]

Let Us go Dutch ! …………………………………………………………..[ 21 Jan 2018 ]

EV : Road Map for Switchover ?.................................[ 20 Jan 2018 ]

Ashok Leyland is not waiting ! ……………………………………… [ 17 Jan 2018 ]

EV juice from Alu-Air Battery ?...................................[ 16 Jan 2018 ]

 

2017 ( 37 )

SIAM seeks SOPS                                                     27 Dec 2017 ]

Auto Industry : Policy Inputs………………………………………..[ 27 Dec 2017 ]

For EV , Andhra gets an A ……………………………………………[ 26 Dec 2017 ]

NITI proposes : SIAM postpones …………………………………[ 20 Dec 2017 ]

India : Energy Storage Mission ……………………………………[ 04 Dec 2017 ]

Not Good Enough ! ………………………………………………………[ 02 Dec 2017 ]

ISRO : the EV Game-Changer……………………………………….[ 22 Nov 2017 ]

NITI proposes : NITIN disposes…………………………………..[ 20 Nov 2017 ]

Carbon  Conspiracy  ? ………………………                    [ 13 Nov 2017 ]

Who  Will  Win  this  Race  ? …………………................[ 07 Nov 2017 ]

Anomaly by Oversight ?............................................[ 02 Nov 2017 ]

Sun Rises in West ?..................................................[ 16 Oct 2017 ]

How Much Investment to go Electric ?........................[ 21 Sept 2017 ]

Gadkariji is Angry ……………………………………………………….[ 12 Sept 2017 ]

A Sensible Solution ……………………………………………………[ 03 Sept 2017 ]

Smart Cars , Safe Cars , Social Cars ? ………………………[ 31 Aug 2017 ]

An Electric Future ? …………………………………………………….[ 17 Aug 2017 ]

Elon : Hesitation Can Hurt ! ……………………………………….[ 03 July 2017 ]

Is it NOW or NEVER ?..............................................[ 23 June 2017 ]

ENABLE ELON TO CATALYSE !..................................[ 15 June 2017 ]

Urban Transport Policy ……………………………………………….[ 09 June 2017 ]

The Missing Link………………………………………………………….[ 05 June 2017 ]

Time to get Charged Up ?........................................[ 27 May 2017 ]

Time to Reinvent ………………………………………………………..[ 25 May 2017 ]

Pawan Goenka knows his Onions !...........................[ 24 May 2017 ]

Will Tesla follow Apple ?...........................................[ 23 May 2017 ]

Look Before You Leap………………………………………………… [ 22 May 2017 ]

From ELON to ION ………………………………………………………[ 11 May 2017 ]

Not Tough At All !....................................................[ 08 May 2017 ]

A “ Reverse Toll “ ? Possible !...................................[ 07 May 2017 ]

Solar Panels charging Li-ion Batteries of Electric Cars ?[ 04 May 2017 ]

More than one Solution……………………………………………….[ 28 Apr 2017 ]

A Take-Off Time ? ……………………………………………………… [ 20 Apr 2017 ]

Best out of a Bad Bargain ?  ………………………………………[ 29  Mar  2017  ]

Building Castles in the Air ?......................................[ 12 Mar 2017 ]

Internet of Vehicles ( IoV ) ?....................................[ 04 Mar 2017 ]

Welcome ! Elon Musk………………………………………………… [ 10 Feb 2017 ]

 

2016  ( 4 )

From OLD to NEW ? No , go NEWER !                     [ 22  Sept 2016  ]

Young or Old ?  …………………………………………………………[ 27  Aug  2016 ]

Retiring Old Vehicles - Gadkari Style ? ………. ………  30  May   2016 ]

PIYUSH PLAN ?                                                     [  27 Mar 2016  ]

 

2015  ( 1 )

POLLUTION SOLUTION , aka " PollSolv "……………………[ 30 Dec 2015 ]